UFH Department of Political Science Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate Programmes

The Political Science and International Relations streams can form part of a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science or a Bachelor of Public Administration degree.

Entrance requirements: 

Undergraduate qualifications: Senior Certificate with Matric Exemption; minimum 25 points (Swedish rating system)

Courses offered

POL111: Nature and Scope of Political Science

Purpose: Learners are assisted in developing a greater understanding of the comprehensive nature of Political Science as a field of academic study, including an appreciation of the fundamental concepts, ideologies and theoretical approaches in the discipline, including the development of the modern state and contemporary political participation.

Contents: The development of Political Science as an academic discipline; analysis and application of basic concepts; investigation into the principal values of the main political ideologies; presentation of main theoretical approaches.

See Also: UFH Department of Political Science Postgraduate Courses

POL124: Selected Issues in Contemporary Politics

Purpose: To contextually present and analyse contemporary political issues within global society. These include changes in conceptualisations of democracy, human rights, conflict escalation and fundamentalism, multiculturalism, civil disobedience and environmental politics.

Contents: As outlined above; to be determined according to contemporary issues

POL211: Introduction to Political Philosophy and Ideologies

Purpose: Learners acquire an understanding of the various philosophical perspectives that have guided political thinking, from historical to contemporary times.

Contents: Classical and modern western philosophy, African philosophy, “orientalism” and contemporary approaches. Selected ideologies and their influence in shaping modern states.

POL222: South African Government and Politics

Purpose: Learners will gain greater understanding of the context, institutions, systems and values of pre- and post-Apartheid South Africa.

Contents: Background to the South African political system; historical resistance to apartheid; the transition period and post-apartheid politics.

POL 311: African Politics

Purpose: In a structured manner, learners will deepen their understanding of politics in Africa. The distinct characteristics of post-colonial political arrangements as well as attempts to consolidate representative governments in the context of globalisation will be examined.

Contents: The post-colonial inheritance, nationalism and experiments in nation-state building, regional groupings and the African Union, international relations of African states.

POL 322:  International Relations

Purpose: Learners will be assisted to gain greater understanding of the nature of inter-state relations and how different actors pursue their objectives in an increasingly globalised world.

Contents:  Actors in international relations; the struggle for power; Foreign policy and diplomacy, sovereignty and humanitarian intervention; multi-polarity and globalisation.